The Art of Today

MONTSAME
interviewed young artist D.Odonchimeg who is currently residing and creating
her arts in France and promoting the name ‘Mongolia’ to all over the world by
participating in many major art exhibitions abroad.

-First of all, what are
the pros and cons of studying abroad?

-It
brings me nothing but joy to come back home. After spending many years in
foreign country, one cannot help but to dream of one’s home. Sometimes I miss a
lot, and life seems so cramped. But I came here to study, work, moreover, to
raise the name of my parents and country. Therefore, I nurture my minds with
the idea that I need to create, and keep myself as busy as possible yearning my
home.

-We always seek something
clarity in art as we seek light in life. Do you think your works give this
feeling to others?

-I do
not know whether my works give the people light and it is probably not my main
purpose. I find it pointless if you create art just to give others a light. It
is up to the individual to decide whether he or she will get a light or a dark
from the art. But it does not mean that I am not keen on giving a light to
others. Because the art itself is an extremely cruel thing. To that extent, I
think the language of art can convey the good and the bad of life more
accurately than religion.

-Today, most art works
are full of surprises. Most art is full of images of freedom. Your paintings
seemed to show how people were sacrificing themselves for the impossible, even
though they gave the impression of being too greedy for freedom. Do I
understand correctly?

-Maybe
so. As I mentioned above, I want my work to evoke a strange feeling in the depths
of the human heart. In the depths of our souls are candles that we do not
light, that we cannot light, that we do not know. To light that candle and
light up the darkness inside, one needs to have a flashing sensation. Sometimes
I feel that way. The moment you marvel at the work of others, the hidden
talents within you are revived. That's why I want to inspire other people's
feelings and leave deep-seated thoughts in their hearts. I hope that those who
dream of quiet contemplation will enjoy my works. (laughs)

-Some researchers believe
that modern art does not need explanations. But in any art, there is a duty to
enlighten society. How do you feel about that?

-An
artist must first be able to criticize his or her work. The most important
thing is to understand what you are trying to say. Then I think I should share
it with others. But you don't have to explain everything in words and letters.
It's more interesting to keep some things a secret.

-You got a master's
degree from the Paris College of Art. Could you tell us about your times back
in the college?

Yes. I
got my master's degree in June, last year with “distinction”. Our school is an
art school, the people in the college are very open and friendly. Students from
many countries live together which means very ethnically diverse. The clothes,
the customs, the food might be different but they all do have a heart for an art.
As the only Mongolian student in my school, my teachers were really good to me.
Training is also professional-oriented. While studying, I got to know the
galleries.

-You just mentioned that
you got your degree with “distinction”. Could you please clarify this?

-it's
like graduating with a red diploma in Mongolia and I also got my bachelor’s
degree that way.

-You have been living in
France for more than seven years. How about describing your mentality and style
of painting as "French"?

-It
can be said that I have learned everything in France. So my general approach to
art may be a bit more European. But no matter what I do, I am a Mongolian
artist, and every time I participate in an exhibition abroad, I emphasize my
name as a Mongolian artist. People know me by my country. Some people even say
"Chinggis's Mongolia" happily.

-What do artists from
other countries think about Mongolian art?

-In general,
artists from other countries are very interested in our country and they want
to study all aspects of customs and national art. The works of our ancestors
and the great artists from the twentieth century amaze them. So I hope they
think what I think (laughs). I once have read that Mongolian paintings were not really
popular. People are more interested in the works of someone popular and someone
from the country where the arts have developed very well. Although these great
arts have made a significant contribution to the development of Mongolian fine
arts, it is now clear that the world has a slightly different approach to
Mongolian paintings and national art. I have been living in France for several
years and there was not a single moment that I have been far from my homeland.
In my heart, I have studied along with all the people close to me, with the
mountains and forests of my homeland, and every time I met others, I talked
about Mongolia and defined myself as Mongolian.

-I suppose you have visited
the Louvre more than once as you are residing in France. Which paintings and
sculptures impressed you the most?

I
visit this world-famous museum, which opened in 1973, whenever I have time. It has not only the art works of France, there are the most wonderful
creations of whole humankind there. The museum presents the most precious art works of
ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, which played a significant role in human
civilization. One of the works that fascinates me the most is "Winged
Victory of Samothrace". It somehow feels similar to my works and I think
that the thing feels closest to you is the most valuable.

-Recently, most people
have started to create their works using installation and contemporary methods.
But your paintings and mixed technical creations seem to have softer colors and
their own standards for installation. In what style do you create your art?

-I
create contemporary art. Because I am a person of this time.

-I think you had a bigger
reason than the fact that you are the person of this time. Could you tell us
your reason behind beginning to create your works in a contemporary style?

-Simply
put, there are many people who think that only basic types such as paintings or
sculptures should be works of art. Instead, this style proclaims that even things that are not recognized as art to the naked eye can be art. It is part of unlimited
freedom. The most interesting thing is that a contemporary art has a lot of
freedom to create art, which is very aesthetic and technical, and it can be
clearly seen in the materials used and how the work is being shared with
others. So it's not just a collection of incoherent items. For instance, the
artist does not have to hang the painting on the wall. The main thing is to
place it where it should be.

Some people criticize the
artists that they create strange things that no one, not even themselves, can
understand, and call it a modern art. How do you feel about it?

-Actually,
such things are often observed. It is up to the eyes and minds of the
individual how to judge. The universe we live in is changing so fast. In that
sense, the number of people who say that art is full of surprises has
increased.

-I saw the works of your joint
exhibition “Art vision”. It didn't seem like you have framed any of your
paintings. Why is that?

-I
couldn't bring my best works to the exhibition. Most of my works lie outside
the frame. Because they are not ornaments. Sometimes I feel like I have a third
eye. When I look at things with those eyes, everything around me looks different.
Either this is the imagination or the real image of that thing, I think. When I have these
feelings, there is a feeling that does not make me want to frame my paintings.

-Most of your works have
depictions of severed human organs and I suppose it should have its own
philosophy?

-I don't
like to draw people's faces. I'm afraid It will look like someone close to me.
The human body is a very strange and mysterious world. There are a lot of
"headless" people among us who seem to have a head on their shoulders
which is physically, but they don't have their own head, their own views and
perspectives.

-It feels like you were
the child who loved to draw?

-Yes. When
I was young, I used to draw a lot. I remember drawing a lot of five types of
livestock. I displayed my exhibition of paintings I had drew on the walls of my
school when I was in high school. My best memories. Every time I look back, it
feels like the little girl inside me is resurrected and it makes me want to
scribble a lot of things that are crooked and crooked like a child. Our descendants
have been craftsmen for seven generations. Maybe it's the power of gene that
has inspired me to become an artist.

-Tell us about your
family. Is there an artist in your home?

-There
is no one in my family who dedicated his or her life to art and makes a living
by creating works. There are people who have their own talents in painting and
carving. They have always supported me. It is true that the farther away you
are from what you value, the more you realize it.

-Why did you first decide
to study in France? Have you ever studied the teaching methods of art schools in
Mongolia?

-I
have never studied in Mongolia, so I don't know what it's like. My childhood
dream was to go and study where art geniuses like Dali and Picasso lived and
started their careers and I was able to fulfill my dream. The biggest reason is
that I prefer to walk and study with the best young people from many countries
in a world-renowned and competitive environment.

-Who do you admire the most as an artist?

-There is a man named Louise Bourgeois from France. What is the real truth? The answer to this question seems to be given by his works.

-Do you create your own
environment to create your works? What environment do you enjoy painting in?

-I
don't need a big luxury studio or a gold brush. All I need is to have a bright
and sunny room when I am painting.

-Do you want to sit in a
bright, quiet room and draw at the moment instead of talking?

- No,
it's not. It's nice to talk. Human beings are social animals. As long as I work
and live on the globe right now, I need to connect with other people.

-How did you feel when
you went to study abroad? Did you feel something 'Run out of gas' emotionally?
Or vice versa?

-Everytime
I talk about my home, I get little sad over the fact that I would eventually
leave my country to pursue the path I chose. But what makes me feel relieved is
that I'm going to faraway to achieve my goal of raising the name of my country
and my parents with my art. When I get on a plane, it feels like something is
holding me, but I can grit my teeth and walk away.